Handheld steam cleaner with liquid cleaning agent dispensing and mixing

ABSTRACT

A handheld steam appliance emits steam under pressure from the nozzle of a handheld component to deliver steam under pressure from a nozzle in order to clean or to condition articles and surfaces. The steam is produced from water that is heated within a boiler chamber of the appliance. A liquid substance, such as a cleaning agent, is introduced from a separate chamber into a mixing chamber as the steam is also introduced, and mixed therewith so that the mixture can be emitted from the nozzle of the appliance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to household and, more particularly, to a handheld steam cleaner with a liquid cleaning agent dispensing and mixing mechanism.

2. Description of Related Art

Various types of handheld steam appliances exist for emitting steam under pressure from the nozzle of a handheld component to deliver steam under pressure from a nozzle in order to clean or to condition articles and surfaces. Such devices emit steam produced from water that is heated within a boiler chamber of the appliance. No known handheld steam cleaning appliance exists in which a liquid substance, such as a cleaning agent, is introduced into the steam and mixed therewith so that the mixture can be emitted from the nozzle of the appliance.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a handheld steam appliances for emitting steam under pressure from the nozzle of a handheld component to deliver steam under pressure from a nozzle in order to clean or to condition articles and surfaces, wherein the steam is produced from water that is heated within a boiler chamber of the appliance and a liquid substance, such as a cleaning agent, is introduced into the steam and mixed therewith so that the mixture can be emitted from the nozzle of the appliance.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the present invention, a handheld steam appliance emits steam under pressure from the nozzle of a handheld component to deliver steam under pressure from a nozzle in order to clean or to condition articles and surfaces. The steam is produced from water that is heated within a boiler chamber of the appliance. A liquid substance, such as a cleaning agent, is introduced from a separate chamber into a mixing chamber as the steam is also introduced, and mixed therewith so that the mixture can be emitted from the nozzle of the appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, transparent schematic view of an appliance according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 perspective, transparent schematic view of an appliance according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 perspective, transparent schematic view of an appliance according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a handheld steam cleaning component 1 attached to a flexible hose 2 which is in communication with a steam generating source (not shown) such as a boiler of the type generally known for producing steam from water. A handgrip portion 3 includes a steam conduit 4 running through its interior and leading to a mixing chamber 5. A reservoir 6 for receiving and storing a liquid substance such as a cleaning agent is removably attached to the component 1. The reservoir 6 includes a sealed connection 7 which directs the cleaning agent into the mixing chamber 5 through a chamber input 8. An internal pump 9 within the reservoir 6 is manually activated by a button 10 to selectively dispense the cleaning agent into the mixing chamber 5. As steam is mixed in the chamber 5 with the cleaning agent, the mixture travels through the chamber exit 11 and out of the nozzle 12. A release button 13 is provided to selectively remove the reservoir 6 for refill, replacement, cleaning or repair.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 and comprises a handheld steam cleaning component 14 attached to a flexible hose 15 which is in communication with a steam generating source (not shown) such as a boiler of the type generally known for producing steam from water. A handgrip portion 16 includes a steam conduit 17 running through its interior and through an integral first barrel portion 18 leading to a first exit 19. A second barrel portion 20 is removably attached to the first barrel portion 18. The second barrel portion 20 houses a mixing chamber 21 and supports a reservoir 22 for receiving and storing a liquid substance such as a cleaning agent. The reservoir 22 is removably attached to the second barrel portion 20. The reservoir 22 includes a sealed connection 23 which directs the cleaning agent into the mixing chamber 21 through a chamber input 24. An internal pump 25 within the reservoir 22 is manually activated by a button 26 to selectively dispense the cleaning agent into the mixing chamber 21. The mixing chamber 21 is in fluid communication with the first exit 19 and permits steam from the conduit 17 to enter the chamber 21 in order to mix with the cleaning agent. As steam is mixed in the chamber 21 with the cleaning agent, the mixture travels through the chamber exit 27 and out of the nozzle 28. A release button 29 is provided to selectively remove the reservoir 22 for refill, replacement, cleaning or repair.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 and comprises a handheld steam cleaning component 30 attached to a flexible hose 31 which is in communication with a steam generating source (not shown) such as a boiler of the type generally known for producing steam from water. A handgrip portion 32 includes a steam conduit 33 running through its interior and through an integral first barrel portion 34 leading to a first exit 35. A second barrel portion 36 is removably attached to the first barrel portion 34. The second barrel portion 36 houses a mixing chamber 37. The first barrel portion 34 supports a reservoir 38 for receiving and storing a liquid substance such as a cleaning agent. The reservoir 38 is removably attached to the first barrel portion 34. The reservoir 38 includes a sealed connection 39 which directs the cleaning agent into the mixing chamber 37 through a chamber input 40. An internal pump 41 within the reservoir 38 is manually activated by a button 42 to selectively dispense the cleaning agent into the mixing chamber 37. The mixing chamber 37 is in fluid communication with the first exit 35 and permits steam from the conduit 33 to enter the chamber 35 in order to mix with the cleaning agent. As steam is mixed in the chamber 37 with the cleaning agent, the mixture travels through the chamber exit 43 and out of the nozzle 44. A release button 45 is provided to selectively remove the reservoir 38 for refill, replacement, cleaning or repair.

While the preferred embodiment has been disclosed, various modification can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A handheld steam appliance attachment for emitting steam from an external steam source of pressurized steam vapor to which said attachment is attached via a hose, said attachment comprising a body; a steam input port on said body, said port adapted to be attached to a hose for delivering steam vapor to said attachment; an exit nozzle for emitting steam vapor from said attachment; a refillable reservoir attached to said body, said reservoir adapted to be filled with a liquid substance; a mixing chamber positioned between said input port and said exit nozzle and forming a path therebetween for the flow of steam vapor, said mixing chamber being in fluid communication with said reservoir; and a valve selectively openable and closeable and located between said reservoir and said mixing chamber for selectively allowing flow of a liquid substance into said mixing chamber.
 2. An attachment according to claim 1, further comprising a button associated with said valve for manually and selectively actuating said valve, said button being located on said body.
 3. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir is removably attached to said body.
 4. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein said mixing chamber is removably attached to said body.
 5. An attachment according to claim 3, wherein said mixing chamber is removably attached to said body. 